Picking the right car?
 

I can't go off and buy a 69 camaro or a 67 nova to start off with. So my question is what would be a good car with good engine combinations that won't cost you an arm and leg to obtain. I've been looking at 75-80 novas, 73-74 novas, late 70 Malibu that I could buy at a very reasonable price. I know building a stocker from the ground up isn't cheap and this will be a long process. So can someone please tell me which if the cars that not as desirable as others would make for a good car to start with? Any info would be greatly appreciated

Re: Picking the right car?
 

As others have suggested previously, buy one already built for less than half of what it costs to build one. then you are racing, not working in the garage for two years.

Re: Picking the right car?
 

Yes, I agree.
Their are Tons of Cars For Sale, reasonably priced too.
There's 1 right here in NJ. Great Car- Great Price.

Re: Picking the right car?
 

Where are all these cars for sale at? On here , racing junk?

Re: Picking the right car?
 

Yes, Both Sites.

What do you want to spend ??

Re: Picking the right car?
 

And do you want stick or auto? Do you have a brand preference, Ford, GM, or Mopar? How fast do you want to go?

Re: Picking the right car?
 

After I sell one of my cars I'll have around 15,000- 18,000 and every penny of that will go to either buying one or slowly building one

Re: Picking the right car?
 

It doesn't matter to me what brand. Only thing I prefer is it be a v8 and I don't really want to go all the fast right out of the gate. I'm hoping to have a car that I can run around j,k,l,m,o,p

Re: Picking the right car?
 

There is a 85 Monte Carlo on racing junk for $12500. Don't know anything about it but looks like a nice car at a reasonable price. Will run J,K and L. As others have said I would buy before I would build and I am speaking from experience, let someone else do all the leg work unless you are in no hurry and just want the experience of doing it yourself. Good luck to you.

Re: Picking the right car?
 

15 to 18 grand can get you alot of car already built. Biggest question is, which way do you want to go? If you want to be racing now, then buying a complete ready to go car is the way to go. Will you get a record setting car? Chances are no. Will you get the exact car you want? Again, probably not but outward appearence is just a car wrap phone call away. Oddball combos will more than likely take you building it yourself. Biggest thing to remember....HAVE FUN doing it or its not worth it.

Re: Picking the right car?
 

Try to pick a car that will either have decent resale value, or room to grow, or both. Buying a slower car to start is a good idea. Being able to either sell it and get most of your money back, or maybe move it up to a faster combination and/or class, is an even better idea.

There are at least 4-5 mid eighties to early nineties F body cars for sale in your price range right now. Some of them can be run with several combinations, 305 or 350, stick or automatic, carbureted or fuel injected, in various classes. Those cars will probably always bring about what they're selling for.

Consider buying a nice solid slick car that doesn't have the fastest pieces on it, at a good price. Maybe a car that has an older engine that can be freshened and updated for a reasonable cost. Maybe a car with a TH350 transmission that would be faster with a Metric 200. Give yourself room to grow, learn, and go faster.

Re: Picking the right car?
 

Keep in mind availability of parts if you build something. For example, 75-79 Nova's have almost no sheet metal repro parts available like the radiator support, door skins, grills,fenders,etc and the parts are hard to find used- but 74 and older everything is available reproduction.

Re: Picking the right car?
 

Bob Shaw's Caddy still for sale, I believe